Getting Ready for Christmas 2012

Gwen and Cole were extremely excited about the Christmas Season this year.  In early December we introduced them to the Elf on the Shelf and they took to the idea very well.  Before we were finished reading the book, they had already decided to name the elf "Elfie".  The name sounded appropriate to me.  Not very creative but heck, at least it wasn't "Poopy Elf" or some other form of potty talk (Thanks for engaging in this 'normal' boy behavior, Cole!).  Each morning the kids would zoom down the stairs and search the house for Elfie.  Reid seemed to understand what was going on and several mornings he was the first to spot Elfie.  He would run over and start grunting as he pointed to Elfie.  There were a few mornings when Elfie forgot to move (oops!) but thankfully the kids were ok with the explanation that Elfie was tired or just liked the spot a lot and didn't want to move (wish they would accept that excuse from me when I just want to sit and enjoy a break!).  

  Gwen singing a "Come on Christmas" song.  I never realized that when she used the keyboard behind her that she was actually serenading the neighborhood until one day I was outside and heard a lot of racket coming from the house.  Yup, our neighbors have definitely heard some joyful songs coming from our kids at all hours of the morning.

 Gwen organizing the christmas cards that we received to hang them on the wall.

 Rolling out the dough for our 2012 Christmas ornaments

 Reid's ready to show the Reindeer where to land.

 Reindeer food time!

 Cole painting his ornaments.

 Gwen painting her ornaments to give to family and friends.